Craig Simcox
Former NZ First MP Denis O’Rourke, pictured in 2013. He was charged in connection with the death of a motorcyclist earlier this year.
A former chauffeur-driven politician was charged with causing death by careless driving after his wedding car was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident.
Former New Zealand MP Denis O’Rourke collided with his motorcycle while driving a wedding party into the grounds of St. Cuthbert’s Church in Governors Bay near Christchurch on March 6.
Driver Josh Broughan – known to friends as Joe – died on the scene.
Delivered
Josh Broughan has been remembered by friends as “hilarious” and with an “open personality that everyone loved”.
On Wednesday, a police spokeswoman confirmed that a 75-year-old man was charged with causing death from negligent driving and negligent driving. The charges were brought in August.
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* Wedding driver in fatal accident says he did nothing wrong
A Christchurch District Court official confirmed that there was no suppression on the file.
O’Rourke, who is also the owner of the car involved in the accident *, told Stuff on Wednesday that the Crown was reviewing the case and deciding whether to proceed or not.
“I’m confident they won’t because I don’t see that I did anything wrong.”
O’Rourke, a former lawyer, had a long career in local politics and served on Christchurch City Council for 15 years from 1989 to 2004.
He was a MP for NZ First from 2011 to 2017.
Speaking to Stuff after the crash, O’Rourke said there was an “almighty explosion” after the collision.
O’Rourke previously said he didn’t think he did anything wrong to cause the collision.
He was braked in the 50 kmh zone to 5kmh to 10kmh and turned on his right indicator as he approached the church, he said.
“I looked at the street and you can only see about 50 meters, maybe a little more.
“There was nothing, so I turned into the church and was three feet across the street when there was an incredible explosion.
Joseph Johnson / stuff
Motorcyclist Broughan died when his bike collided with a bridal car on the way to a wedding in Governors Bay.
“The car barely moved so neither of us was thrown forward … We were covered in glass from the broken windshield.”
He said the couple postponed the wedding for about an hour before continuing.
O’Rourke said he believed the motorcyclist was traveling at “very high speed” and that no one in the car saw him before the accident *.
He said they were in no rush to get to the ceremony, adding that he stopped for 10 minutes on the way as they didn’t want to be early.
“I didn’t do anything wrong and couldn’t have traveled much slower,” he said.
A family representative said they continued to feel the “significant loss of our son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncles, friend and colleague.”
“It’s still very raw and he’s missed every day.”
More than 500 people attended Broughan’s funeral. Friend Brock Timperley described Broughan as “really unique”.
“He had a hilarious, outgoing personality that everyone loved,” he said.
“Joe was the most loving, kindest, and most generous person I have ever met. Joe did a lot for me and my family, he became part of our family.
“We just can’t thank him enough. We are all devastated to lose him. “
Tributes online described him as a caring man with a great sense of humor.
“You always made me laugh and always tried to cheer me up when I was on the ground. Thank you for being you, ”said one.
Another person said they missed “our banter” and laughs they’d shared over the years. “I still can’t believe it’s real – gone way too early.”
Additions: Two facts were added to the story after it was first published. These were that Denis O’Rourke owns the car he was driving and that he believed the motorcyclist was traveling at high speed (October 8, 9 a.m.).
